Hello all. I need your advice about hotels in San Diego. I did a search, but it appears that many of you live here or haven't mentioned the hotels you've stayed in and I never could find where Pauline stayed when she was here!
My husbad and I are attending a wedding of an old friend on Labor Day weekend near Carlsbad,and will be staying there for the majority of our trip, but I thought a few days the previous weekend (August 26-29)would be great in San Diego. I have wanted to visit the San Diego Zoo since college..fantasies of becoming an animal behaviorist! Since we're staying in an oceanfront hotel the rest of the week, a view of the bay isn't absolutely necessary, but I know a pool is for my husband. I've read that a car is necessary, but it sounds like the parking and fees are a nightmare. Is it feasible to take a shuttle to a hotel and walk or cab everywhere and then pick up a car on our way out of town? Perhaps shuttle back to the airport, rent a car and visit the zoo on the way out of town?
Or is Carlsbad close enough to do day trips into the city? Neither of us love to drive, but would if we had to.
I know it's going to be pricey,so is the $250 a night range unreasonable?
Read that message about Trattoria La Strada in Little Italy. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

Carlsbad is a bit of a trek - about 40 minutes without traffic from downtown San Diego. It is feasible to arrive at the airport and take a shuttle to a downtown location, then cab to and from the zoo if that is mostly what you are coming to see. I have stayed at the Hyatt and the Hilton and both are very nice, but I did not visit the pool in either. There are some hotels in Mission Beach that have pools AND parking. Pauline stayed at the Hotel del Coronado which she did review (I think.)

I wouldn't day trip in - there are plenty of places to stay in town with parking. Traffic can be a pain getting out of town, and also in.

You will love the zoo! We all do.

You might want to look into these two places. They are in Little Italy which is a fun neighborhood in SD. It has a truly Italian heritage. There are some great restaurants and nice walking around at night. Little Italy is on the outskirts of downtown.
La Pensione
Little Italy Inn

The Little Italy Inn has great reviews on Trip Advisor. La Pensione has parking (don't know about the Inn). The Pension has a nicer location but the reviews of the Inn look wonderful.

If you can have a car, that would be good since you have 3 days. San Diego's public transport is not very good. With a car you could go to the zoo, Old Town, and maybe some other place you would like to explore. But,you could also take taxis.

I would recommend one night walking in the Gaslamp area and choose a restaurant as you peruse the menus. Don't know if I was the one who mentioned La Strada--might have as it is one of our favorites. But there are many other good ones, also.

If you eat in Little Italy you may want something other than Italian when in Gaslamp. I can give suggestion, if that would help.

We stayed at the Marriot on Coronado Island when we were there. Nice hotel; good spa .

From there, we visited the zoo, sealand, Shannon and a couple of other places. I don't recall ever feeling like the drive was too far.

Oh if you stay at the Marriot, there's this amazing donut place nearby - Sammi and I found it on our jet-lagged (i.e., up at 4:30) mornings. We still talk/dream about it.

My favorite hotel in San Diego is an older but very well kept up hotel in Pacific Beach that is right on the beach. The pool and spa overlook the ocean. It's called Pacific Terrace. They have complimentary breakfast that is nice and a wine hour in the evening. The rooms vary a lot in size and price. The downside of this place is that it is a few miles through traffic off the freeway.

We have stayed at the Hyatt, Sheraton, Doubletree, and Embassy Suites and they are all nice and have pools.

For restaurants I'd recommend Georges at the Cove in LaJolla....eat at their Outdoor Dining Terrace Bistro and time it to watch the sunset. It's a great ocean view. Also Prado in Balboa Park is wonderful. I'd recommend dining there and then take a short stroll in the Park. You can dine indoors or out..I prefer outside unless the weather is bad, which is rarely is in San Diego. Make reservations for either place.

Have fun!
Kathy

Kathy, thank you for your suggestions...unfortunately I can't seem to find a hotel named Pacific Beach. Do you possibly have a link, or phone number? I would appreciate either, as I haven't made a choice yet. Thanks, Patricia

I just reread your post and realized that I hadn't read it correctly in the first place. Sorry. I have been caring for my mother who is ill, and I think hospital air sucks brain cells.

Patricia,
I know how you feel. . . it's stressful when parents need so much attention. I'm going through the same thing with my father.

I hope you enjoy your trip.
Kathy
http://www.cheers2wine.com